Put t'kettle on. It's time for a natter.

Life After Uni: Kristin’s story

Today, I’m handing the reins over to Kristin. She’s going to tell you a little bit of her story and how she found her way to her current career….

My journey to find my career begins back in 2011.I graduated high school in the top 10% of my class, and then packed my bags and headed east.I attended a public university in my state that is situated a short, but beautiful 10-minute drive from one of my state’s most beautiful beaches. It was a phenomenal 4-year experience that I wouldn’t change for the world.As I was applying to colleges and considering what I wanted to study, my parents always encouraged me to pick something I love. Even if it wasn’t cool or it wasn’t going to make me millions… “Follow your heart,” they said. And that’s exactly what I did.

I ended up graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Psychology. I had completed an amazing internship with our local District Attorney’s Office and earned an honors distinction in my program. I didn’t have a job in my beloved beach town after getting my diploma and went through a rough relationship breakup, so I moved back home with my parents (kicking and screaming of course – who wants to move away from the beach?!).I picked up a part time job working at a tutoring center for kids in primary school and knew that I wanted something else. So I made a typical Kristin move — I panicked and made a rash decision.

I applied to our community college’s Paralegal program to continue my studies of our legal system.I just graduated in December 2016, and am now working full time at a law firm that continues to teach me each day.It’s a quality that I think a lot of people don’t look for in a job.This isn’t just a place where I go to clock in each day to earn a pay check.I’m learning more and more, building my resume, networking, and helping people.It’s a part of my career.I’m no longer working at a place where I feel like I could just be replaced without batting an eye.

In addition to my daytime job at the firm, I’m also a blogger.It’s more of a passion and hobby than a job, but it’s something that I want to stick with for a long time.It’s my side hustle.I make a few bucks each month, but really my favorite part is putting together posts and taking photos. I love the feedback I get on posts and all the connections I have made with other bloggers like myself.It’s really encouraging and brings me a sense of joy.

I know I’m very young and still very early in my career, but I love where I’m at with my life right now.I’m also very lucky that I’ve found two different things that I’m passionate about already, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.